Dr Tom Hover
March 2, 2025
Matthew 5:9 / Matthew 5:10
“BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS:” / THE BEATITUDE FOR THE PERSECUTED
“BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS:”
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
INTRODUCTION: You should notice that Jesus did not say, “Blessed are the peace-lovers.” Everybody enjoys peace. But just because you enjoy peace does not mean you are willing to go through the painful process of making peace. Making peace often means stepping into the conflict in order to make peace. Reconciliation often requires confrontation. Peace lovers avoid confrontation. It is too uncomfortable and unsettling. Peacemakers risk themselves by entering the tunnel of chaos to come through to the other side to work toward reconciliation. If we dare to make peace, then we will be given the greatest compliment a person may know on earth. We will be called “sons of God.” Jesus was a peace maker. It cost Him his life. But He was raised again to resurrection and raised the possibility of reconciliation. We become like Him when we take on the challenge of making peace.
I. OUR PRACTICAL GOINGS AS A PEACEMAKER
Matthew 5:9
1. Peacemakers seek to reconcile people with God.
II Corinthians 5:18-20, Romans 5:1
2. Peacemakers seek to reconcile people. Matthew 5:23-24, Romans 12:18, Philippians 4:2-3, Romans 12:18, Ephesians 4:26-27,
Psalm 133:1-3, I Corinthians 6:1-11
3. Peacemakers confront sin in hopes of fostering righteousness.
Matthew 7:3-5, 5:29-30,18:15-17, Proverbs 16:28, I Corinthians 5:6, Ephesians 4:15
II. OUR PERSONAL GROWTH AS A PEACEMAKER
Matthew 5:9
1. To grow as peacemakers, we must continually get rid of sin in our own lives. 2. To grow as peacemakers, we must be painfully honest.
Jeremiah 6:14, I John 1:9
3. To grow as peacemakers, we must be willing to risk pain.
Proverbs 27:6, James 1:19-20 4. To grow as peacemakers, we must develop healthy communication skills.
As believers, we must listen to: (1) what a person is saying,
(2) and what a person is not saying,
(3) We also must listen to the Holy Spirit. Nehemiah 2:4, Proverbs 17:27, 29:11, James 1:20, Proverbs 15:18
5. To grow as peacemakers, we must return good for evil.
Romans 12:18-21, James 3:18 6. To grow as peacemakers, we must develop perseverance. Galatians 6:9
7. To grow as peacemakers, we must trust God. II Timothy 2:24-25,
I Corinthians 3:6
III. OUR PROMINENT GIVEN NAME AS A PEACEMAKER Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Luke 10:6, Acts 4:36
Conclusion: Do you have peace? Corrie Ten Boom said, “If you look around, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look to Jesus, you’ll be at rest.” That is where the peace comes from. Do you have peace with God? Do you? Remember you’ll never have peace until something is done about this problem of sin.
PM SERVICE TONIGHT 6 PM
Matthew 5:10 “Blessed are they which are persecuted.” Matthew 5:10-12
THE BEATITUDE FOR THE PERSECUTED
I. PERSECUTION HAS A CHARACTER.
II. PERSECUTION HAS A CAUSE. Matthew 5:10 “For righteousness’ sake.”
III. PERSECUTION HAS A COMPENSATION.
Matthew 5:10 “Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
IV. PERSECUTION HAS ITS CHARACTERISTICS.
Matthew 5:11
V. PERSECUTION COMES WITH A COMMAND.
Matthew 5:12 “Rejoice,”
Conclusion: We Have the Company in The Persecution. Matthew 5:12 First, It Is an Exalting Company. Second, It Is an Encouraging Company. The Bible says, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12). We need to believe this, but how much more do we need to teach our children to “stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross.” Teach them. Show them. These are days of golden opportunity to share the Lord Jesus Christ.
